Government freeze minimum wage for young people

19.03.12 - Helen Symons

Ian Murray MP, Labour's Shadow Business Minister, commenting on today’s National Minimum Wage announcement, said:

“Youth unemployment is at the highest rate since records began, with over a million young people unable to find work. So it is disappointing that the only response from this out of touch Government to the job crisis facing our young people is to impose a real terms cut to their wages.

“This is the first time that the development rate for young people will not rise. The Low Pay Commission's recommendation represents a vote of no-confidence in the Government’s handling of the economy and the prospects for recovery.

“If the Tory-led Government was serious about tackling youth unemployment they would back Labour’s Real Jobs Guarantee by repeating the bank bonus tax and using the money raised to help create 100,000 jobs for young people, which they would be required to take up. We have also called on the government to use public procurement to boost apprenticeship opportunities, but they have failed to do so.”